Claimed by the vampire prince

Chapter 322: Chapter 322

Moments later, the door opened again and the physician rushed in, taking in the scene with a sharp, assessing glance. He moved to the bed at once, looking over her work with a critical eye. He complimented her on being resourceful and for her quick thinking but she barely heard any of the words.

She stepped back automatically, giving the physician room to work. The noise of the room had dulled. Her ears rang and her legs felt weak.

Nieah quickly washed and wiped her hands clean of the blood that stained her fingers. Then she turned and walked out, her movements unsteady, the weight of the experience crashing down on her all at once.

Circe followed her into the corridor, catching her just as Nieah staggered, silent tears finally spilling free. She took one look at his wet cheeks and immediately wrapped her in a warm embrace.

"He will be fine and it’s because of you," Circe murmured softly, one hand coming up to pat Nieah’s back in a slow, soothing rhythm. "You did so well in there. You should be proud." free𝑤ebnovel.com

Nieah’s breath hitched as she sniffled, her body trembling faintly against Circe’s. She chided herself in silence for breaking down like this, for letting the weakness slip through the cracks of her composure. Still, she was grateful she had managed to hold the sobs at bay until she left the room. She could not bear for anyone else to see her like this.

"I have not done this in so long that I forgot what it feels like to witness such suffering," she admitted quietly. "It never gets easier."

Deep down, Nieah knew it wasn’t only the severity of the injury that had shaken her so deeply. It was everything about the situation. She was like this because of him, Casilo.

He was not just another man under her care. He was someone she had come to know over the many years she had worked under Ragnar’s roof. A good man. A steadfast presence and her friend. Seeing him broken, pale, and bleeding on bed had been its own unique form of torment, one that clung to her even now.

Slowly, she stepped out of Circe’s embrace and wiped at the tears staining her cheeks, drawing in a deep breath through her nose as she tried to steady herself.

"I’m fine," she said but the words rang hollow, spoken more as reassurance to herself than to anyone else. "I just needed some air."

Then she forced a smile onto her lips and looked back at Circe, Circe who appeared so calm, so composed, even after witnessing the same horror that had left Nieah unraveling. Concern and sympathy shone clearly in her eyes, but that was the extent of her outward reaction.

Remaining so stoic in moments like this was a skill. One Nieah had yet to master.

"When he is fully out of harm’s way," Circe said gently, taking both of Nieah’s hands in hers and giving them a firm squeeze, "he will be happy to know there was someone worrying so deeply for him."

Nieah nodded shakily. "And when he fully recovers, I will charge him my weight in silver for my services," she added, her lips trembling despite the attempt at humor.

Circe smiled encouragingly. "That’s right. Make his coffers hurt. It’s only right."

A weak laugh slipped from Nieah before she could stop it.

"Come," Circe said, already turning and guiding her by the hand. "Let’s get you in front of a fire. Your hands are cold."

Nieah followed without protest. But just before they turned the corner down the corridor, she cast one last glance back at Casilo’s closed door and released a quiet, weary sigh.

There were bloodstains on the front of her dress. Without a word, Circe led her back to her room so she could change into something cleaner and warmer.

Nieah could only stare as Circe pushed further into her modest sized room. It was humble and plainly furnished, nothing compared to the master’s chambers where Circe and Ragnar slept each night.

Without a word, Circe crossed straight to the chest at the foot of the bed, opened it, and retrieved one of the garments folded neatly at the very top. She laid out her findings carefully across the bedspread.

Glancing back at Nieah, who still stood frozen near the door, Circe waved her forward. "Alright. Come and change into this."

Nieah shook her head even as she stepped closer, suddenly uncertain. "This doesn’t feel right," she said quietly. "I work for you. I should be the one assisting you, not the other way around."

Circe planted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. "I’m confused," she replied. "Do friends not help each other in Azaire, where you’re from?"

From her tone alone, Nieah knew that arguing further would be pointless. She simply nodded. And truthfully, Circe’s presence was a welcome distraction, one that kept her thoughts from circling endlessly back to Casilo.

Nieah stripped down to her shift and pulled on the fresh clothes. When she turned back around, she was met with yet another encouraging smile.

"There," Circe said approvingly, stepping closer to pat her shoulder. "Much better. Have you eaten anything today? I can ask the cook to prepare something for you."

Nieah shook her head. "No. There’s no need," she replied. "I highly doubt I’d be able to keep anything down. Best not to test it."

Circe didn’t push the matter.

A knock sounded at the door just as she opened her mouth to speak. Nieah crossed the room and unlocked it.

A maid stood on the other side and she immediately dropped into a low bow when she realized who else was present.

"Your Highness," she greeted Circe, before turning to Nieah. "Mistress, His Highness has just returned."

If Ragnar was back at the estate, then someone would have already informed him of Casilo’s condition.

A minute later, the two women left the room and went in search of him.

They found Ragnar outside Casilo’s room, the physician standing in front of him. Circe and Nieah drew closer, just in time to catch the tail end of their conversation.

"—he lost a considerable amount of blood before aid was administered. That means he will be ravenous when he wakes, and there is a strong likelihood that he will go into bloodlust." The physician said to Ragnar. Then his gaze shifted until it settled squarely on Circe.

"He will need to feed immediately," he continued, voice grave, "but I cannot guarantee that he will be fully in control when he does." After a brief pause, he added, "For her highness’s own protection, I strongly advise that she be kept locked safely away."